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A review by emilycm
Ophelia by Lisa M. Klein
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
i think the most interesting scenes were between ophelia and hamlet, seeing their relationship develop, as this was very obviously the core of the story to begin with. but that was about all that was favourable, or digestable, about this retelling.
i love the character of ophelia, and i will always appreciate and fawn over new interpretations of her character, and the things that get overlooked about her in the original telling. BUT, the whole "ophelia's not like other girls" annoyed me a little, in the way it was reinforced over and over, until it felt very dry and not substantive to the character. i do believe that's the beauty of hamlet and ophelia's relationship, they are thoughtful and intelligent people.
i have seen the movie adaptation of this, which honestly, is probably better in some ways, but i think that there is a lot to be said about the idea of changing the whole perception of how ophelia dies. like, i firmly am in the belief that some of the tragedy, and magnificence and resonance, of ophelia's story, and hamlet as a whole, is that she dies! it's fucking tragic and makes me upset, but is so central to her story and role in this larger telling. so, i kind of very much don't love the new interpretation; it's bold, but it doesn't cut it for me.
i love the character of ophelia, and i will always appreciate and fawn over new interpretations of her character, and the things that get overlooked about her in the original telling. BUT, the whole "ophelia's not like other girls" annoyed me a little, in the way it was reinforced over and over, until it felt very dry and not substantive to the character. i do believe that's the beauty of hamlet and ophelia's relationship, they are thoughtful and intelligent people.
i have seen the movie adaptation of this, which honestly, is probably better in some ways, but i think that there is a lot to be said about the idea of changing the whole perception of how ophelia dies. like, i firmly am in the belief that some of the tragedy, and magnificence and resonance, of ophelia's story, and hamlet as a whole, is that she dies! it's fucking tragic and makes me upset, but is so central to her story and role in this larger telling. so, i kind of very much don't love the new interpretation; it's bold, but it doesn't cut it for me.